Plymouth MP becomes a Dementia Friend

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, took a key step towards helping end the stigma surrounding dementia on Tuesday by becoming a Dementia Friend. Alison joined a group of MPs and Peers from across the country for a Dementia Friends session in Parliament.

Dementia Friends was launched in February 2013 by Alzheimer’s Society. It is an initiative that aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 650,000 people currently living with the condition in the country.

Alison was one of 30 MPs and Peers who took part in a number of exercises aimed at helping participants understand the affect of dementia on people’s everyday lives.

Alison Seabeck MP said: "I've signed up to show my support for Dementia Friends, and am encouraging people in Plymouth to do the same too.  I intend to hold an event shortly which will allow some of the expertise available to be passed on to my constituents who have genuine fears about the onset of dementia in themselves or in their loved ones.  With a growing number of people living with dementia, it's more important than ever that we all have a better understanding of the condition.

“Plymouth is well ahead of many other parts of the country in terms of seeking to be a dementia friendly city with schools and shops signed up to better understand how people should be treated in day to day contact situations."

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society said: "Most people don’t know enough about dementia. Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone to improve their knowledge. We are pleased to have been able to engage 30 MPs and peers in one day. They have a huge influence in their local communities and we hope they will use this opportunity to take action and improve lives."

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia friendly, go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.